Dr. Diego Mastroeni is an expert in neuroepigeneticist with a deep commitment to advancing research on Alzheimer’s and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. At Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute, he leads pioneering work using single-cell and laser-capture microdissection technologies to uncover the molecular pathways driving Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

His dedication stems from personal experience, caring for family members affected by dementia, which fuels his passion for translating research into real-world impact and hope . Dr. Mastroeni has authored dozens of high‑impact peer‑reviewed studies and actively collaborates across genetic and neuroscientific research efforts globally.

His leadership experience spans scientific advisory roles and committee participation across professional organizations, making him a strategic and compassionate contributor to organizations focused on equity, education, and transformation.”

She has led national business development efforts for education-focused nonprofits, secured high-impact partnerships across sectors, and supported initiatives that empower individuals through learning, career readiness, and long-term support systems.

Natalie is honored to serve on the board of Live and Learn, where she brings her passion for equity, cross-sector collaboration, and strategic planning to help advance the organization’s mission of breaking the cycle of generational poverty for women through education and career pathways.

Most recently, she was the Co-Founder, President, and COO of Sparrow, a high-touch, tech-forward asset and property management platform that acquired, owned and operated over 3,000 high quality rental homes in 10 markets through the US.  Jami is a champion of women in the workplace and, at Sparrow, curated a high performing and diverse management team comprised of 80% women and minorities.

Jami received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law.  Jami lives in Phoenix with her husband and enjoys gardening, yoga, exercising and visiting her adult sons. 

Meri founded a successful Portrait Design business engaging national and international clients and their families for over thirty- five years; building on her ability to recognize opportunities promoting positive relationships.

Meri received her BA from SUNY/Buffalo in Sociology; and an MA/Education from ASU. She has served on the Foster Care Review Board; mentored at Free Arts Az. And Live and Learn; and volunteered with At Risk Schools Phoenix.

Human Resources Advisor Director, Senior Vice President

Human Resources Wells Fargo & Company

April Taylor is the Human Resources (HR) Advisor Director leading Manager Advisory, a centralized HR team providing HR advice and guidance to over 22,000 managers in the US. Prior to joining Manager Advisory in September 2023, April was the HR Executive supporting Consumer and Small Business Banking Operations and led the strategic human capital initiatives for 26,000+ employee population. April is a 29-year veteran of the company. 

Previously, April was the HR Business Partner Leader for the Community Bank for three years. Additionally, she served as the Sr. HR Business Partner for the Consumer Credit Solutions Shared Services team and the Consumer Financial Services team, within Consumer Credit Solutions (CCS). Prior to moving into the HR Consulting function, April was the Head of Talent Acquisition for Wells Fargo’s Consumer Lending Group (CLG) where she was responsible for managing full-service recruitment for over 19,000 hires per year. April and her team drove the recruitment strategy for CLG including advertising/social media, campus/early talent, diversity, and executive recruitment focused on attracting qualified pools of diverse talent to Wells Fargo. Prior to her CLG role, April served as the Enterprise Sourcing Solutions Manager for the Enterprise Talent Acquisition team. In addition to her various HR and Talent Acquisition management roles, April also served for two years as the Enterprise President of the Wells Fargo My Generation Team Member Network. 

April is a graduate from Arizona State University West, where she earned a  B.S. in Human Resources Management. She lives in Surprise, AZ with her husband and two beautiful daughters. 

Director of Marketing  – Mosaicfi Wealth Management

Leslie Meisner is Director of Marketing for Mosaic Fi, a wealth management firm owned and operated by women. Her area of focus includes developing marketing strategy, and content creation, as well as establishing processes and practices to enhance the client experience.

Leslie brings more than 30 years of experience working in wealth management for international banks, leading teams that provided full wealth management services to their clients. She is well-versed in financial planning, investment management, and banking. Leslie has a BS in Business Administration/Marketing from the University of Illinois in Chicago.  She is a Retirement Management Advisor^® as well as Certified Professional Coach.

Leslie lives in Scottsdale, AZ, with her husband Steve.  They enjoy an active lifestyle in the desert foothills and desperately miss their two grown sons.

Senior Financial Analyst  – CIGNA Healthcare 

Chandima has been an active member of the Live & Learn Board of Directors since joining in February 2021. He is currently serving on the Finance Committee and has been serving as Interim Board Treasurer since the end of August 2022.

Chandima is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and began his career with Ernst & Young (E&Y) in New York. He moved to Arizona in 2018 to gain experience in internal audit and accounting at various companies in the Valley. He currently works for Honeywell as a Financial Analyst. Chandima holds a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Arizona.

Senior Vice President, Information Technology  – SAFE Credit Union

Michelle is a visionary leader with more than 30 years of experience in IT strategy, digital transformation, and organizational leadership. She has successfully led global enterprises through complex technological change while championing innovation, cybersecurity, and operational excellence. As a philanthropist, Michelle is equally committed to driving social impact. Her work focuses on bridging the digital divide and creating opportunities for underserved populations through education and economic impact. Michelle brings a unique perspective by combining deep technical knowledge with a heart for service and inclusion.

Mom to four children, Michelle enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling with family and friends.